"I think they are a loving family who are doing the best thing they think they are doing for their child,” said Cellestine Jeacock a former neighbour of the King family.

British police said earlier that a European arrest warrant was issued for the boy's parents, Brett and Naghemeh, both Jehovah's Witnesses. The family had last been seen travelling on a ferry to France.

Police said late Saturday that officers are questioning the couple and are "waiting to hear on Ashya's condition."